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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1986-07-16, Page 4• age 4----Luekaew S4a*iheIl9 W dnefidayfl July 169 1986 P.O. Box 400, Luoknow NOG 2H 528.2822 A CONA Estabnshed 1873 Thomas Thompson -Advertising Manager Alan Rivett . -Editor Pat Livingston -General Manager Joan Helm -Compositor Merle Elliott -Typesetter BLUE RIBBON AWARD 1986 Subscription rates in advance: $17.0° Outslae Canada $60.00 ' S110° Outside Canada 658000 Senior Citizen Second class mailing reg. no. 0847 Advertising is accepted on the condition that in the event of a typographical error, the portion .of the advertising space occupied by the erroneous item tog-tber with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged , for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid at the applicable rates. Tax increases justified building repairs needed Everyone was "thrilled" Lucknow is definitely a tractor pull town! k seemed med like everybody and their mother aid their another's brother was there to take hi the roaring tractors, the spinning tires, and possibly a beer and a burger or two during the festivities at the Lucknow Tractor Pull. t est of all, the local tractor pullers were every bit as good as their American counterparts with Art Helm and Ghostbuster taking top spot in the 7200 Modified and the 5200 Modified and also taking third spot in the 9200 Modified class. Rick Cunningham of G odernch registered two firsts as well. An extra measure of excitement for the large crowds at the tractor pull was seeing Don Gordon of Mississauga carry out his "thrill of a lifetime" aboard Art Helm's Ghostbuster. You could almost sense the entire crowd rooting for him to have a successful pull in his very first trip on the .tractor and, after having a little starting trouble, the pull went off without a hitch. Look at the TV in fall everybody. It could be your face in the crowd. A star is born, ehl There's definitely a lot more to tractor pulling than the sight of huge machines with engines screaming pulling massive weights to the other end of the track. ALAN What was particularly interesting was all the behind -the -scenes work going on in preparation for the big moment on the track when the engines are expected to perform. As you walked in the "pit area" where the majority of the tractors were kept, workers were busily tuning the engines to run at peak performance. Tractor engines, no doubt, have to be fixed to the Nth degree as one flaw would be certain to destroy the chances of a successful pull. The pit area was also full of would-be mechanics looking at the engines and commenting on the make and the different parts it contained. For people mechanically inclined, it must have been a virtual field day having that many trucks and tractors to inspect. As ,for the "thrill of a lifetime", I'm just glad it wasn't me who was chosen to drive one of those tractors. I'm quite content to drive my automobile, thank - you very much. For the past seven years, the Lucknow village council has kept the taxes for residences and businesses down. During this time, no increases were ordered. However, times are changing and for good reason. The 6.5 per cent increase in the general mill rate will'mark the end of an era. This year, council has decided to start budgeting for necessary repairs to public buildings in the village before the repair bills become even more costly. At the June meeting, council voted to up the general mill rate by one 'mill, to secure enough money to go ahead with two repair projects for the medical centre and the town hall basement. This year's budget will see $36,600 set aside for the repairs for the town hall basement. The project, slated to begin this winter will include a complete revamping of the washroom facilities in the basement. Also included in the budget is a $20,284 reserve for repairs to the Lucknow Medical Centre. The roof of the medical centre as well 'as many of the wood fixtures would be repaired under the project. The cost of the repairs would be harboured by the four municipalities with the village recovering 75 per cent of the costs. It's not a big does to swallow for Lucknow taxpayers as the general mill rate for the village is only going up an average of $14. However, the increases in the budget will be something the taxpayers will unfortunately have to get used to. With other upcoming projects like the arena and the sewage works for the village, budget increases will be a way of life for Lucknow for the next few years. Dreams, do come true By Alan Rivett Although Lucy Murdoch allowed the burnt out shell of thesawmill to be cleaned up in preparation for , rebuilding, she no longer had any interest in the lumber business. Her recent traumatic experienc- es did not allow her to proceed with enthusiasm. Indeed, she seriously' contem- plated leaving the Caledon Hills forever and returning to Toronto. There, perhaps, a wealthy and attractive young widow' could find new interests and forget about her tragic past. But het ideas were drastically changed when Ian Jamieson and hisfamily returned to Redtrees and with them, a gallant ex -officer of the Black Watch called Sir Archibald MacCulloch. It was at the home -coming dinner for the Jamiesons that Lucy first saw him. The function took place at the doctor's residence and Rebecca Cameron, with that romatic sixth sense which can only belong to a woman, conveniently Located Lucy opposite to "Sir Archie" at the dinner table. He was formally dressed in a blue evening suit contrasted by a red cummer- bund, and the empty right arm of his jacket was neatly fastened at his side. Nobody in the community had ever seen the likes of such a finely attired and eloquent gentie- man. He entertained those in his immedi- ate vicinity by descriptions of the myster- ious east - the haunting calls of prayer as nightfall came to the River Ganges and the colourful splendour of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Lucy was fascinated. Not by the masterful dialogue of the stranger, but by his handsome face, accentuated by greying temples and soft, compassionate blue eyes. She eagerly awaited the moment when his ' attention would be directed to her. , VI have been told you are engaged in the lumber business, Mrs. Murdoch," he said with a ,captivating smile. "What in the world induced such a beautiful andig nteel lady as yourself to compete in that rugged market?" ' Lucy was momentarily embarrassed. It was obvious he had 'not heard about the recent tragedy in her life, otherwise he would not have broached' the subject. "You flatter me, sir," she said,' reactiv- ating a youthful blush she thought had foresaken her forever. "Since I have little expertise in the manufacture of lumber products. I rely upon hired help to run my business." It was some time before Lucy was able to speak to Archie MacCulloch again. The other guests constantly bombarded him with questions about the brilliant army career he had left behind, and his reasons for immigrating to Canada. There were some who were burning to ask him about the circumstances surrounding the loss of his right arm, Experience had taught him to dispense with that topic as soon as possible, so it was he who introduced the subject. "No doubt you will be curious about this," he said, . tapping ,the empty arm sleeve with his left hand. "Since the present company would otherwise be too considerate of my feelings to enquire, allow me to briefly explain and then we can perhaps discuss matters of far greater importance. I was engaged in a skirmish in India and received a deep wound." He looked at Doctor Cameron as he continued. "What with the heat, filth'and flies, the wound was badly, infected. My arm was amputated when I returned to my home base, in order to save my life." Sir Archibald's sudden revelation brought a hush to the table guests. Since everybody was at a loss for words, he quickly proceeded to make light of the matter. "Let me assure you, I am in no way incapacitated. Indeed, I intend to offer my past military experience in the interests of the militia. In the meantime, I shall keep a sharp look out for some enterprise to which my energy and resources can be applied." a As the evening progressed, the party fragmented into small groups and Lucy found herself alone with "Sir Archie". She was anxious to enlighten him about her loss of interest in the sawmill and her plans to leave Redtrees. "There is nobody left who I- could hire to manage the sawmill and I doubt if anybody here has sufficient funds to buy the property," she said, quite pointedly. .. "Would you consider remaining if you could find a suitable partner?" Archie asked with a merry twinkle in his eye. "That I would sir," she said, "But who could possibly be interested?" "There is at least one," he said. "Sir Archibald MacCulloch, late of the Black Watch, here and now states he is willing to share your burdens,"